What is the age limit for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda?
What is the age limit for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda? Or What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking? Can children trek gorillas in the wilderness? Where to meet mountain gorillas in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is the most exciting adventure activity every person would like to do while on a Uganda safari. This experience allows visitors to spend an hour with them watching their movements, behaviors such as feeding, and much more in their natural environment. There are only mountain gorillas in Uganda and these can be located in two destinations that are Bwindi National Park with almost half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas and Mgahinga National Park both located in the far southwestern part of the pearl of Africa.
Uganda is endowed with various attractions which are both man-made and natural. The mountains, water bodies, savannah plains, jungle forests, and others can’t be missed while on your Uganda Safari and all these are home to wonderful wild animals (forests, water, and savanna animals). On a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda, you can’t miss out on stopping at the point where the equator crosses Uganda and this will reward you with a great experience that will illustrate the north and south poles.
How much do adults pay for gorilla trekking permits in Uganda?
So, every traveler interested in trekking the mountain gorillas should possess a gorilla trekking permit which is sold to persons 15 years of age. The permits cost USD 800, USD 700, and 250,000 UGX for foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and East African community members respectively.
The age limit is highly emphasized because children are always affected by infectious diseases such as flu that can easily spread to mountain gorillas and might not adhere to the strict gorilla trekking rules and regulations, which include among others not littering in the park premises, keeping a distance of about 7 meters, not making fun of the gorillas, not mimicking, not making noise in front of the gorillas and many others. Children may not be mentally ready for the activity and this may not be an exciting moment which is not to adults.
The steep slopes where the trails are designed may also be tough for children and the trails are always muddy and slippery. This could hinder the experience since children will struggle to succeed in movements.
Gorilla trekking permits can only be bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala or through a safari company that is fully registered and licensed. Booking in advance is highly encouraged since they are limited in number and highly demanded. The 22 habituated gorilla families in Uganda are trained to get used to human presence and are open to tourists to visit. Each family is trekked by only 8 visitors per day for only an hour.
Gorillas are gentle giants and they are aggressive when they are threatened and when they predict danger that a human being can cause. During this time, they can make a lot of noise or stump their feet on the ground or even hit their chest such as the silverback – head of the group. This action can’t make a child stand the condition or stay calm and they will run away as they screen when they get scared.
When to take a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year depending on your choice. There are two dry and wet seasons in Uganda. The dry season is always from June to September and December to February.
During this time, the trails are dry hence an easy trekking experience. Gorillas tend to move to too far places since they move in search of food. The rainy/wet season is from March to May and October to November and during this time, trails are slippery and gorillas keep in one location since food is in plenty.
